Meet Our Staff

We have years of experience caring for families from all walks of life, cultures and faiths. Our unsurpassed staff and our family provide kind, caring, professional service. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession who are dedicated to excellence in service, adhere to the highest funeral industry standards, and have exceptional integrity. We consistently earn phenomenally high customer satisfaction survey results.

Our licensed, professional staff is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 956-423-3636 anytime. We will even come to you to make arrangements in the comfort of your home.

Prompt, compassionate service is always just a phone call away, where and when you need it.

Jim H. Pitts

Manager/Funeral Director

Born in Harlingen, Texas, Jim has been a valley resident most of his life. He attended college at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. In 1976, he began his funeral career working for his grandfather, J.B. Ashcraft, at the Kreidler-Ashcraft Funeral Home in Harlingen. In 1978, he graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services and then returned to the family funeral home. In 1986, he then went to work for his uncle, Buck Ashcraft, at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. With over 40 years experience, Jim has followed the dream of his great-grandfather, his grandfather and his uncle by continuing to set the highest standards in funeral home care and carry on the family tradition that started nearly a century ago. Jim is married to Laurie Ann Whitley Pitts, who is a designer and home builder in the Harlingen area. They have two daughters and one son. Jim and his family attend the First United Methodist Church in Harlingen. Jim is also a member of the Harlingen Rotary Club and the Boys and Girls Club Board and in his spare time enjoys golf, hunting and spending time with his family.

Susie Reyna

Administrative Assistant

Susie has been a long time resident of the Harlingen area. She graduated from Harlingen High School with honors in 1993 and then attended Vanguard Institute of Technology, where she received certification as a Data Entry Specialist. Susie began her career in the funeral business in 1994 and became a part of the staff at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home in 2005. Susie is responsible for most data entry responsibilities at the funeral home and for creating customized print memorial keepsakes and Hollywood-style tribute videos. Susie is active in her local church, serving on the finance committee and as the children's Sunday school teacher. She enjoys reading, going to movies, assembling jigsaw puzzles and spending time with her family.

Nancy Garcia

Pre-need Coordinator

Nancy was born and raised in San Benito, Texas. After high school she traveled and lived throughout Texas and attended Austin Community College and the University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas. Nancy began working in the funeral business in 1996 as a Family Service Supervisor at a local cemetery and then as Market Center Manager with a national pre-need company. In 2006 she began her role first as an ambassador and then as pre-need coordinator at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. With over 18 years of experience in the business, Nancy is able to assist families before and during their time of need. Nancy has one son, David Eric Garcia, and daughter-in-law, Yvette Garza-Garcia. Nancy is a member of Abundant Life Assembly of God Church and lives with great faith.

Jimmy B. Simerly

Ambassador

Jim began his career in the funeral business in the early 1960s. He attended mortuary school in Houston, Texas and graduated Mu Sigma Alpha from Commonwealth College of Science in 1962.

He became a licensed funeral director and embalmer shortly after graduation and has been involved in the funeral business ever since. He began his employment with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home in 1981 and retired from full-time employment in 1995. Since then, he has remained part of the funeral home family as an ambassador. Jim and his wife, Della, have two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jim and Della are faithful members of Wesley United Methodist Church in Harlingen. Jim enjoys remaining involved with the funeral home because it gives him a chance to greet old friends and continue his passion for helping people. Jim is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys working around his home.

Ron Smith

Ambassador

Ron was born in Dallas, Texas and spent most of his life in San Antonio, Texas. After high school, he spent two years in the Army. He graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1959. Already working for Sears at the time, he went into their management training program upon graduation. After numerous assignments in San Antonio and Lafayette, Louisiana, he became manager of the old Sears store on Harrison Avenue in Harlingen in 1987. Retiring from Sears in 1984, he then went to work for Dillard's. With Dillard's, he managed stores in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City until he retired again in 1996. He and his wife Peggy then moved to Harlingen to be closer to their two daughters. Ron's hobbies include an original woodcraft called Wood Dimensionals, playing any kind of electronic game and following NASCAR.